The High Court has set June 11, 2025, as the date for delivering its ruling in a case where businessman Tadeo Ruzindantaro sued Bishop Asili Memorial Nursery and Primary School, located in Kabale District, for allegedly releasing his daughter to a stranger without his consent.
The case, originally filed in 2018 and refiled in 2022 to include new evidence, stems from an incident in which Ruzindantaro’s daughter, Bethany Nimurungi, a Primary Four pupil, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Ruzindantaro accuses the school of releasing her to an unidentified individual without notifying or seeking his approval.
After a search that spanned more than five years, police issued a statement on September 25, 2023, confirming that the child had been recovered from the home of one Phionah Rukundo in Manyangwa Village, Gayaza, Wakiso District.
According to the police report, investigations revealed that the girl was picked from school by her biological mother, Ms. Mercy Kirande, who had relocated to South Africa in 2010 after separating from the father. However, Ruzindantaro disputes this claim, stating that his daughter had been taken by Ms. Rukundo, not her mother, and the School Management participated in the “illegal” procedure.
Following a protracted legal process, Ruzindantaro was finally reunited with his daughter. Nonetheless, he had already initiated legal proceedings against the school, accusing it of negligence and emotional harm.
A Judgment Delivery Notice dated June 4, 2025, and signed by the Assistant Court Registrar, confirms that the ruling will be delivered on June 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
The school is represented by Justus Muhangi of Muhangi & Company Advocates, while Ruzindantaro is represented by Tiwkirize Timothy of Twikirize & Co. Advocates and Masereka Godwin of Elgon Advocates.
Ruzindantaro is seeking compensation for the psychological trauma and emotional distress he endured during the years-long search for his daughter. He alleges that the school’s management, led by Sister Margret Tusiime, not only failed to assist in the matter but also engaged in a media smear campaign, branding him a “Mufere” (conman) who was attempting to tarnish the school’s reputation.
Ruzindantaro further claims that he received multiple threats during this period, forcing him to relocate his family from Kabale District to Mbarara for their safety